How Streaming Platforms Are Changing Cricket Viewership

Introduction The rise of streaming platforms has transformed how fans experience cricket, making it more accessible, interactive, and personalized. In 2025, platforms like JioHotstar, Willow TV, and FanCode are redefining cricket viewership, drawing billions to major events like the IPL and T20 World Cup. This post explores how streaming platforms are reshaping cricket consumption, their impact on women’s cricket, and what the future holds for fans.
1. The Shift to Digital Consumption Streaming platforms have shifted cricket viewership from traditional TV to digital screens. In 2023, the Cricket World Cup attracted 1.25 billion viewers, with 40% via streaming platforms, a jump from 15% in 2019, per cricketstoreonline.com. The 2025 IPL reached 1 billion viewers, with JioHotstar alone clocking 384.6 billion minutes of watch time, per Sportstar. Mobile devices dominate, with 45% of T20 World Cup viewers using smartphones in 2024, per cricketstoreonline.com.

2. Enhanced Fan Experience Streaming platforms offer features that elevate engagement:

• Interactive Features: JioHotstar’s MaxView, live chats, and polls, used during IPL 2025, create immersive experiences, per myKhel.com.

• Multi-Language Commentary: Platforms like Disney+ Hotstar provide commentary in Hindi, Tamil, and more, catering to diverse audiences.

• Real-Time Stats and Analytics: FanCode’s ball-by-ball updates and CricViz integration give fans detailed insights, with 70% of IPL viewers using stats in 2024, per ESPNcricinfo.

• Flexible Viewing: Offline downloads and multi-angle replays, offered by Willow TV, suit fans’ schedules, especially in the USA, per theword360.com.

3. Impact on Women’s Cricket Streaming has boosted women’s cricket visibility. The 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL) drew 45 million viewers on JioHotstar, a 400% increase from prior women’s events, per cricketstoreonline.com. The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup final attracted 21,457 fans in-person and 91 million digital viewers, up 30% from 2023, per cricketworld.com. Platforms like Disney+ Hotstar prioritize women’s matches, with campaigns like #SeeItBeIt driving 20% growth in female academy enrollment in India, per BCCI 2024 data.
4. Global Reach and New Markets Streaming platforms are expanding cricket’s footprint:

• North America: Willow TV’s coverage of IPL and Major League Cricket drew 2 million new USA viewers in 2024, per theword360.com.

• Emerging Regions: YuppTV’s streaming of IPL 2025 in Europe and Southeast Asia reached 50 million viewers, per thecricketpanda.com.

• Social Media Integration: Viral clips on TikTok and Reels, generating 16.9 billion views for the 2024 T20 World Cup, attract casual fans, per cricketworld.com.

5. Challenges of Streaming Dominance Despite benefits, challenges persist:

• Digital Divide: Rural areas with poor internet access miss out, with 33% of India’s rural fans relying on TV, per cricketstoreonline.com.

• Subscription Fatigue: Multiple platforms (JioHotstar, SonyLIV, FanCode) require separate subscriptions, frustrating fans, per pioneeronline.com.

• Viewership Dips: The 2025 IPL saw a 27% drop in mid-season viewership due to geopolitical tensions, per business.yougov.com, showing external factors can disrupt engagement.

6. Economic and Advertising Impact Streaming platforms drive cricket’s economy. The IPL’s $6.2 billion broadcast deal (2023-2027) funds grassroots programs, per cricketstoreonline.com. JioHotstar’s targeted ads during IPL 2025 offered brands 54% higher engagement than TV, per myKhel.com. However, TV remains vital, with Star Sports clocking 456 billion minutes for IPL 2025, per Sportstar.
7. The Future of Cricket Streaming By 2028, streaming is projected to dominate 60% of cricket viewership, per grandviewresearch.com. Innovations like VR and AR, used by 10% of 2025 T20 World Cup fans, will create immersive experiences, per cricketstoreonline.com. The 2028 Olympics could push cricket to 500 million new viewers via platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, per cricketstoreonline.com. Women’s cricket streaming will grow, with the WPL targeting 100 million viewers by 2030.
Conclusion Streaming platforms like JioHotstar and Willow TV have revolutionized cricket viewership, making it more accessible, engaging, and global. By amplifying women’s cricket and tapping new markets, they’re shaping the sport’s future. As technology evolves, streaming will continue to redefine how fans connect with cricket’s passion and drama.